Climate change is expected to be the major influence behind the loss of biodiversity in the 21st Century (Seney,Rowland, Lowery, Griffs and McClure, 2013). Initial impacts of climate change will be loss of habitat, distribution changes and geographical isolation (Seney, Rowland, Lowery, Griffs and McClure, 2013). The challenges presented by climate change will be greatly experienced by marine and estuarine ecosystems.
If the progress of climate change continues members of the Gastropoda will be impacted. Particularly the trochidae will be impacted via the continual increase in ocean acidification.
Additionally reductions in carbonate ion concentration and increasing ocean acidification will directly impact the shell producing organisms by reducing the ability to form a shell, which is an important morphological trait which provides protection. |